All Kosovo has only 35 job inspectors

Despite warnings of increasing their number, Kosovo currently has only 35 job inspectors. In the Labour Inspectorate, new inspectors are scheduled this year. Enhancing the number of inspectors is also required by the Private Sector Workers Union, which they say is necessary.

Over 6300 (six thousand and three hundred) is the total number of inspections carried out by the Labour Inspectorate throughout 2022. Of these inspections, 860 were made after the party's complaint. In addition to these statistics, the IP's annual work report reportedly had only 37 job inspectors last year.

The number of inspectors and inspections could be greater if 17 new inspectors started work, for which there was a competition.

Unlike the planning, not all positions were completed, Labour Inspectorate Chief Inspector Hekuran Nikci tells Radio Kosovo.

From the required number of job inspectors, from what we've done, in July 2022, only eight inspectors started the job. So no job inspectors have been admitted to the required number. The reason is that there were no interested candidates, so they didn't compete. But, we are informing you that the phase of new recruits for labour inspectors will start soon, as there is still that the MPB Public Officials Management Department makes some preparations”, he said.

On the other hand, Nikci said there are currently 35 labour inspectors. Meanwhile, the IP's 2022 report says that “are planned and budgeted by 100 new labour inspectors for 2023”.

Concerned with the treatment of workers, says Independent Private Sector Workers Union Chairman Yusuf Azemi. He told Kosovo Radio that the number of inspectors should urgently increase so that violations of workers' rights will be reduced.

“Negligence, non-work, but even the small number of job inspectors are making all this burden on their backs to private sector workers, who are treated badly with wages, mishandled with the Law on Safety and Health at Work. And in the application of the Law of Work. The state, with this number of inspectors, has allowed company property to allow free hands to do whatever they want with workers”, he said.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who had earlier said that during his mandate he is aiming at fivefolding inspectors, with the aim of guaranteeing workers' rights and improving working conditions.